Mental health expert, Dr Marlon Simpson is calling for urgent attention to the mental well-being of Jamaican men, highlighting the critical need for safe spaces, stigma reduction, and greater understanding of burnout and how males express their emotions.
Speaking during a recent JN Circle meeting, the consultant psychiatrist, attached to the Bellevue Hospital, painted a sobering picture of the mental health challenges facing men in Jamaica. He revealed that the male wards at the country’s leading psychiatric facility are often filled to capacity, with three male wards for every female one, a stark indicator of the disproportionate mental health burden borne by men.
“A lot of the men who come in say the first time they actually felt heard was when they came to the hospital,” the consultant shared. “Many of them had no avenue to talk; no one was listening, and no one provided support.”
Mr Simpson was addressing members of the JN Circle Corporate Chapter on the topic ‘Men’s Mental Health, Continuing the Conversation’, which was held in observation of Men’s Mental Health Month, which was observed in June.
He noted that the methods men use when facing mental health crises are often more drastic, reflecting a deep sense of hopelessness and a reluctance to ask for help. “It’s not just about stress,” he said. “It’s about feeling like there’s no point in trying anymore. That’s why burnout can be a gateway to more serious mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide.”
He described burnout as more than just tiredness. “It’s a chronic emotional state, a sense that you’re not accomplishing anything of value and even what you have done doesn’t matter. It can lead to a breakdown in physical, social, and emotional functioning.”
Burnout symptoms include irritability, emotional detachment, insomnia, physical pain with no medical explanation, and withdrawal from family and friends. In men, this often presents as aggression, absenteeism, or substance abuse, sometimes involving dangerous combinations of drugs including marijuana, alcohol, Molly (ecstasy), and even embalming fluid (formaldehyde).
Cultural norms were identified as a major barrier to men seeking help. “In our society, when a man says he needs help, the reaction is often one of mockery or dismissal,” Mr Simpson said. “We have to unlearn that. Men internalise a lot, and it builds up like a pressure cooker until there’s an explosion, not always outward, but inward, leading to breakdowns, mental illness or worse.”
The speaker recounted the case of ‘James’, a male manager who became increasingly irritable, aggressive, and withdrawn. Initially resistant to therapy, James later admitted how much he needed space to talk. “Now he’s the one scheduling sessions and asking for more,” the consultant said. “It shows how powerful support and safe spaces can be.”
Importantly, he emphasised that the workplace has a role to play. He said at Bellevue Hospital, members of staff can now request mental health days, flexible work arrangements are encouraged, and managers are being trained to recognise signs of burnout without penalising affected employees.
“Support in the workplace should go beyond referring someone to a company therapist,” he added. “It includes helping employees find external, confidential support they can trust.”
He also recommended changing how we frame mental health conversations. “Instead of saying, ‘Go get help,’ we should say, ‘Let’s talk to someone who can help us understand what’s going on.’”
He ended the presentation with a powerful call to action: “Take off the mask. To thine own self be true. Talking, even just a little, can make all the difference. But we need judgement-free zones where people feel safe enough to do that.”
With men still under-represented among therapists in Jamaica and cultural stigma remaining strong, the expert called on Jamaicans to change the narrative, one conversation at a time.
“Burnout is real. The silence around men’s mental health must end,” he concluded. “Listening can save lives.”
The JN Circle is a global network of JN members and customers who leverage the JN Group’s resources to serve as advocates and community change agents. With 17 chapters spanning all 14 parishes and active groups in Toronto, Canada, and London, England, the JN Circle continues to make meaningful contributions to community development.
In a passionate address to stir up urgency, Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, kicked off the Heads-Up Regional Think Tank at the AC Hotel in Kingston with a call for countries in the Caribbean and Latin America to shift the narrative on motorcycle safety to save lives.
Addressing policymakers, motorcyclists, and global road safety advocates, Ms Allen emphasised the urgent need for behavioural change to reduce preventable deaths.
“This is a journey of advocacy and action,” she declared. “The strategy is simple: safe helmets on heads. Every ride. Every time.”
The two-day forum, which culminated on June 20, was organised by the JN Foundation through the National Helmet Wearing Coalition. It comes amid rising concerns about motorcycle crashes across the Caribbean and Latin America. Motorcycle crashes account for close to a third of road fatalities in Jamaica alone, particularly the deaths of men in their prime, productive years a figure Miss Allen says has remained stubbornly unchanged.
“This is now an economic issue,” she stressed. “Our economies are already under strain, and these deaths are creating an invisible but heavy burden. We can’t afford to keep losing our most productive citizens on the roads.”
Claudine Allen (right), General Manager of the JN Foundation in discussion with (from left) with Gloria Murga, chief executive officer of Belize Automobile Touring Association; Frank Fotia, president of the FIA Region 3; Agnieszka Krasnolucka, Programme Director, FIA Foundation; Dr Lucien Jones, Chairman, National Helmet Wearing Coalition. They were at the ‘Heads Up! Regional Think Tank held at the AC Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, June 19. The event was organised by the JN Foundation through the National Helmet Wearing Coalition in collaboration with National Road Safety Council with funding from the FIA Foundation, the two-day forum aimed to address critical legislative and enforcement gaps, promote behaviour change, and mitigate the social and economic impact of motorcycle-related fatalities across the region and promote the use of certified helmets.
She highlighted the cultural reasons some riders still shun helmets, from vanity and discomfort to the myth that a short ride doesn’t require protection. She also pointed to systemic gaps, such as the need for certified helmet access, local testing facilities, and tighter enforcement.
But her message wasn’t just about the problems, it was a call to collective action.
“We have an immense task ahead, but it’s not insurmountable,” she said, pointing to successful efforts in other countries like Mexico.
“Over the next two days, we’re not just having a talk shop,” Miss Allen insisted. “We are identifying solutions- regulatory, cultural, economic- that will take us closer to zero.”
With representatives from transport, health, and national security ministries and sectors, as well as motorcyclists sharing their real stories, she said the forum is a critical step in changing the tide.
“We’re showing up. We’re asking you to participate. And when you leave here, take action. Advocate. Collaborate. Because that’s the only way we’re going to change the story that’s become too familiar,” she pointed out.
Supporting her remarks, Agnieszka Krasnolucka, programme director at the FIA Foundation, underlined the life-saving potential of helmet use. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the FIA, the world governed body for motor sports.
“We know that the safe use of quality helmets reduces the risk of death by over six times and brain injury by up to 74 per cent,” she said.
“That makes every certified helmet wearer a life protector. And yet, too many still ride unprotected not for lack of knowledge, but for lack of access and enforcement,” she added.
Ms Krasnolucka praised Jamaica’s efforts, saying, “This is the first event of its kind in the region, and it’s already proving that regional dialogue can drive real change. We are here to shape safer roads and more resilient communities.”
The urgency to tackle the motorcycle crashes and their consequences was further underscored by Donaree Muirhead, technical assistant in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Transport, representing Minister Darly Vaz, who outlined grim statistics regarding fatalities and injuries from motorcycle incidents so far this year.
“This is not just a national concern; it’s a regional crisis. The real issue is not motorcycles, it’s the persistent culture of non-compliance, limited access to certified helmets, and enforcement gaps,” she affirmed. We must build a safety culture from the ground up.”
The forum, hosted by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, a project of the JN Foundation in partnership with the National Road Safety Council, with funding from the FIA Foundation, aims to tackle the challenge of motorcycle safety, particularly helmet wearing, head on, from helmet testing and enforcement to regional collaboration and youth education.
The event has brought together regional and international experts, policymakers, and advocates to tackle the alarming rise in motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Photo Caption: Christopher Atkinson (right), a member of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, in discussion with Claudine Allen (left), general manager, JN Foundation; and Frank Fotia, president of the FIA Region 3, during the Heads-Up Regional Think Tank on motorcycle helmet safety held at the AC Hotel in Kingston recently.
Christopher Atkinson, a member of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, is urging stakeholders to leverage the power of personal stories to advance road safety and promote helmet use. Speaking during a panel discussion at the Heads Up Regional Think Tank on motorcycle helmet safety, held at the AC Hotel in New Kingston recently, he underscored the emotional impact of real-life experiences in driving meaningful behaviour change.
He was addressing regional experts, policymakers, road safety advocates, motorcycle drivers, and communication professionals who gathered to explore solutions to the growing crisis of motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities across Jamaica, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The two-day event was hosted by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, a project of the JN Foundation in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council, funded by the FIA Foundation.
“Motorcycle safety is personal not just procedural. We talk a lot about data, accident rates, helmet usage, traffic laws, but what truly shifts behaviour is emotion. People rarely remember statistics, but they do remember stories, stories that feel real, reflect their lives and make them think that could be me,” he said.
Mr Atkinson noted that although education and enforcement are essential to promoting road safety, they are not sufficient on their own to drive meaningful changes in behaviour and attitudes.
“What we’re missing is emotion because emotion moves people. When we tell real stories about real riders, people pay attention. When a biker shares how he got hit and how a helmet saved him, that sticks. When a mother explains why she made her teenage son wear a helmet every single day, that inspires. The goal is not to scare people but to connect and once that connection is made, they begin to believe in the whys behind the rules,” he emphasised.
Christopher Atkinson, a member of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, during a presentation at the Heads-Up Regional Think Tank Forum on motorcycle helmet safety held at the AC Hotel in Kingston recently.
“Campaigns that change habits are the ones that show real riders, not models, talking about close calls, their regrets, their good choices, and their bad choices despite pressure. Effective road safety storytelling isn’t created in the boardroom, it comes from the streets, those who are directly or indirectly pounding the pavement on a regular basis. We have to work with communities to build better safety narratives.”
Mr Atkinson encouraged advocates to adopt a more inclusive and community-based approach to storytelling. He recommended hosting story circles or rider forums to gather real experiences that can drive meaningful change and emphasised the importance of including diverse voices such as women riders, delivery bikers, and rural motorcyclists who each bring unique perspectives. He also stressed the value of authenticity by using real people in familiar settings to build trust, and urged collaboration with local influencers, including community leaders, riding groups, and mechanics, who often have greater impact than traditional advertising.
He further highlighted that one common mistake in safety campaigns is portraying danger without acknowledging the dignity of those affected, cautioning that messaging should respect and reflect the lived experiences and resilience of riders.
“Riders aren’t just victims, they’re resilient, resourceful, and proud. We need to start reflecting that. When a campaign shows a delivery rider who wears a helmet because he wants to be there for his children or a young woman biker proudly navigating the city traffic because she believes in her right to mobility, that’s powerful, that’s behaviour change with dignity.”
“We need stories that uplift not just serve as cautionary tales we need stories that show the pride in putting on a helmet, the honour in riding responsibly, the love behind slowing down so you can come home safe. We need stories that show that in every corner of every city or village safety is an act of resilience and resilience is something to celebrate not just survive,” he said.
Marlon Fletcher (left), lead, community engagement, National Helmet Wearing Coalition and president of the Jamaica Motorcyclist Association, presents an appreciation gift to Christopher Atkinson, member of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, who participated in a panel discussion that explored storytelling as an effective strategy to drive advocacy inclusion and behaviour change. The occasion was the Heads-Up Regional Think Tank on motorcycle helmet safety held at the AC Hotel in Kingston recently.
Also participating in the panel discussion were Dr Lovette Byfield, a public health specialist, consultant, and social and behaviour change expert; Kate Turner, media and advocacy manager at the FIA Foundation; and Selwyn Richard Persaud, director and secretary general, Trinidad & Tobago Automobile Association.
The panel was one of five that provided a platform for dynamic dialogue and policy-orientated solutions to address helmet usage and enforcement. The other panels addressed regional perspectives on helmet use; legislative and regulatory gaps towards regional policy solutions; social and economic impact of motorcycle crashes and fatalities as a barrier to development; and best practices and solutions creating safer motorcycle drivers.
Photo Caption: The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), JN Foundation, the Global Safety Partnership and the FIA Foundation signed an agreement on Friday, June 20, for a two-year training programme on enforcement for members of the JCF. Participating in the signing of the agreement are (from left, seated) Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation; Agnieszka Krasnolucka, programme director of the FIA Foundation; Dr Gary McKenzie, Assistant Commissioner of Police; and Dave Cliff, chief executive officer of the Global Road Safety Partnership. Looking on are Claudine Allen (left, standing), general manager of the JN Foundation and Delroy Simpson, chief technical director in the Ministry of National Security. The signing of the agreement took place at the ‘Heads Up Regional Think Tank’ session at the AC Hotel in Kingston.
The agreement was signed at the ‘Heads-Up!’ Regional Think Tank held recently at the AC Hotel in New Kingston. The forum was hosted by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, a project of the JN Foundation in partnership with the National Road Safety Council, with funding from the FIA Foundation.
The two-year training programme represents a significant step in addressing the alarming rates of motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities. The programme aims to achieve key behavioural outcomes, including an increase in the number of motorcycle riders and their passengers (pillions) who consistently and correctly wear and standard-approved helmets, and the reduction of motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries resulting from the non-use of helmets.
The collaboration will see an investment in training, tools, and leadership development for law enforcement officers to support more effective road policing operations and foster behaviour change among riders.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr Gary McKenzie, who signed the Agreement on behalf of the JCF, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the urgency of the initiative citing findings from crash investigations that underscore the critical need for improved helmet compliance and enforcement.
“When we look at what we have gathered, over 75 per cent of those who died suffered serious head injuries. That tells us their heads weren’t protected,” he said.
“We must ensure everyone-riders, passengers, families, and communities understands the importance of helmets. Helmets save lives. Wearing one significantly reduces the risk of head injury and death. We have to protect our most valuable asset, our brain.”
From left to right, Delroy Simpson, chief technical director in the Ministry of National Security; Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation; Agnieszka Krasnolucka, programme director of the FIA Foundation; Dr Gary McKenzie, Assistant Commissioner of Police; Dave Cliff, chief executive officer of the Global Road Safety Partnership and Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation take a group photo after signing the agreement.
Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, described the signing as a moment of national and regional significance.
“Today’s signing of this two-year treaty agreement is much more than a procedural step. It is a powerful statement, one that says we are united in our commitment to protecting lives, strengthening communities, and building a safer Jamaica. We believe that this partnership will further empower the JCF to be a ‘force for good’, promoting motorcycle safety and upholding standards that save lives.”
Dave Cliff, chief executive officer of the GRSP, welcomed the agreement as a model of meaningful collaboration. Headquartered in Switzerland, the GRSP is a non-profit organisation formed in 1999 in response to what is recognised as a global as a human-made health crisis arising from deaths and injuries due to road crashes. It is hosted by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
“We are proud to support this bold and necessary initiative. Enforcement, when paired with education and community engagement, is one of the most effective ways to change road user behaviour and reduce fatalities. This partnership sends a clear message that Jamaica is serious about addressing preventable road traffic injuries. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on communities across the country.”
Meanwhile, Delroy Simpson, chief technical director at the Ministry of National Security who represented Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Horace Chang, said that although some progress has been made in enforcing helmet use, there is much more that needs to be accomplished. He also underscored the importance of public education to encourage helmet use.
“We recognise that enforcement alone cannot achieve our objectives. We must have strong enforcement and [public] education campaigns that foster a culture of safety. We must engage with our communities, particularly our young men, to change perceptions and encourage responsible riding,” he said.
The signing partners pledged to act swiftly and in a coordinated manner to ensure the programme’s successful and sustainable implementation, leveraging communication, funding, legislative support, and stakeholder mobilisation.
Experts Trace the Life-long Pain Young Men Who Survive Motor Bike Crashes Endure
Photo Caption: Dr Rory Dixon (second from right), chief medical officer at Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in St Andrew, makes a point during a panel discussion exploring the social and economic impact of motorcycle crashes at the recent Heads Up! Think Tank organised by the JN Foundation. The event was held at the AC Hotel in New Kingson. Listening (from left to right) as Dr Dixon presents are fellow panellists Yelissa Mendoza Rodriguez, road safety traffic analyst at the National Institute of Traffic and Ground Safety Transportation in the Dominican Republic, Dr Cary Fletcher, orthopaedic surgeon, St Ann’s Bay Hospital and Adrienne Pinnock, manager, public relations at The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities. The panel was chaired by Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr (not pictured), vice president, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.
Death is final, but for many who survive motorcycle injuries, the consequences are often a complex chain of interwoven challenges that leave many survivors- many of them young men in their 20s- destitute and dependent on others for the rest of their lives.
It’s a scary existence to fathom, the kind summed up by Shakespeare’s Macbeth as his pending demise becomes apparent to him: “Life’s but a walking shadow… a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
Such was the case made by experts recently at the Heads Up! Regional Think Tank organised by the JN Foundation, as they explored, in graphic detail, the complicated consequential costs of the continued high volume of motorcycle crashes experienced locally and regionally to health care, economies, families, but most of all to the victims themselves, who never get to experience the best of their prime years, because they were not wearing a helmet or protective gear. The event was held at the AC Hotel in New Kingston and streamed via the JN Foundation’s YouTube channel, where it is still available for viewing.
The morbidities- another name for the injuries the thousands of victims of motorcycle crashes live with- are varied and painful, Dr Rory Dixon, outlined. Dr Dixon is the chief medical officer at Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in St Andrew, the only medical facility of its size and kind in Jamaica.
Dr Rory Dixon, chief medical officer at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in St Andrew, presents during a panel discussion exploring the social and economic impact of motorcycle crashes at the recent Heads Up! Think Tank organised by the JN Foundation. The event was held at the AC Hotel in New Kingson.
The morbidities seen span spinal cord injuries to amputations of the limbs. And in the final analysis, only 10 per cent of those who survive and are rehabilitated return to earning an income.
“You’re looking at your typical male who is usually working, [he] has a motorcycle accident, and he is out of commission for a long period. You can just see the drain on the family and the community in general,” outlined Dr Dixon.
The journey for most is a litany of agony, exacerbated by long periods of waiting and the development of other medical complications along the cycle. For most, it begins often, Dr Dixon explained, with a wait of about a week for transfer from a Type B or C hospital to a Type A for surgery. And from there, it takes them another one to three months to get into Sir John Golding.
“And that is because the bedspace is very limited. Our capacity has not increased since 1954,” Dr Dixon affirmed of the facility built to respond to the country’s first major outbreak of poliomyelitis. It may soon receive some relief with the addition of a new wing that will house 30 more beds.
Along their rehabilitation journey, many of the young men often develop other conditions beyond their injuries. Ulcerated bed sores are common in just a few days in hospital, especially among those with spinal injuries who are unable to move and possibly feel what should be painful and vulnerable cavities developing on their undersides. In about 60 per cent of admissions, Dr Dixon revealed, the young men develop bed sores, slowing their rehabilitation process, as wound care and possibly, plastic surgery, must be done. They can extend the period of their hospital stay by up to a year.
“Most persons with spinal cord injuries, they have no sensation. For us, we shift ourselves every so often when we sit to take the pressure off our pressure areas, but persons with spinal cord injuries, the skin begins to breakdown within two hours of sustained pressure and unless they are turned every two hours- which this the standard- they end up with these massive ulcers, which complicates their rehabilitation,” Dr Dixon explained.
There are also other complications that develop, such as contracture of the limbs and atrophy (wasting away) of the muscles due to their inactivity, as well as the young men may develop medical problems, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections and deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). Some even die before they can be rehabilitated.
“Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary treatment. Persons have to be retrained how to take care of their bowel and bladder,” he explained, and assistive devices are as expensive as they are rare and difficult to tangibly access. As commonplace and as low tech wheelchairs may seem to many, Dr Dixon pointed out that there is no system in place to present patients with one during the rehabilitation process.
As young men in their prime, the chronic debilitation they face can also be psychologically burdensome, as they are unable to earn and even obtain sexual gratification. There is also participate in very little recreation, which later contributes to the development of lifestyle diseases that further complicate and diminish their quality-of-life.
Many are also eventually abandoned by family, Dr Dixon explained. In the beginning, for many, family are present to attend to the needs of the young men, but over time upon recognising the long-term state of their condition, family presence wanes or even disappears.
“So, there is a lot of support initially, and then after the person is admitted [and] they see the impact of what it is going to take long-term, we find that the visits get less frequent, and after a while, when it’s almost time for the person to go back, we hear many things [such as] the caregiver has disappeared or migrated or they’ve lost the house because being the sole breadwinner the [caregiver] was unable to pay the rent. So, this person (patient) ends up being in our care indefinitely,” he explained.
Limited services available in crash hotspots
Adrienne Pinnock, manager for public relations at The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities makes a point during a panel discussion exploring the social and economic impact of motorcycle crashes at the recent Heads Up! Think Tank organised by the JN Foundation. The event was held at the AC Hotel in New Kingson.
The journey for survivors is even more complex and nihilistic when one considers that services, such as those offered by Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre, are not near locales where motorcycle crashes are concentrated, manager for public relations at The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Adrienne Pinnock, explained. Most crashes and consequently most injuries and deaths occur in Westmoreland, where there is only a Type C hospital- the Savana-la-Mar Public General Hospital.
“The western region of the island records a higher prevalence of accidents; however, the majority of social and rehabilitative services are concentrated in Kingston. The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities also faces significant challenges in reaching individuals in rural areas. This limits the Council’s capacity to effectively support the rehabilitation and reintegration of persons who have acquired disabilities,” she pointed out.
She noted that without the access to supportive social care, severe psychological challenges can creep in, including depression, given not only the new financial and social limitations the newly disabled young men face, but the social stigma attached to persons with disabilities.
“Despite public awareness efforts by the JCPD, stigma surrounding disability remains prevalent. As a result, individuals who acquire a disability and do not receive adequate support may face severe psychological challenges, including thoughts of suicide. These risks are heightened when rehabilitative services are either unavailable or not easily accessible at the critical point of disability onset,” she outlined.
Based on her summary, Ms Pinnock believes health and social services need to better share and use data to identify where the needs for services are.
The crashes could have been prevented
Dr Cary Fletcher, orthopaedic surgeon, St Ann’s Bay Hospital delivering highlights data on the kinds of injuries suffered by motorcyclists during crashes as seen by the hospital during a panel discussion exploring the social and economic impact of motorcycle crashes at the recent Heads Up! Think Tank organised by the JN Foundation. The event was held at the AC Hotel in New Kingson. Beside him listening is fellow panellist, Yelissa Mendoza Rodriguez, road safety traffic analyst at the National Institute of Traffic and Ground Safety Transportation in the Dominican Republic.
More than 80 per cent of crashes are preventable in the first place, orthopaedic surgeon at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital, Dr Cary Fletcher concludes. In more than half of cases he has seen, the young men were not wearing helmets or protective gear because they were only travelling “for a short distance.” In almost 100 per cent of cases where passengers (pillions) were involved, they wore none at all.
“This has been cited four times and authors in other countries have found the same thing, so I think this is one of the emphases to put in our public education messages. We need targeted messages. So, simply saying ‘helmets save lives’ is not going to be sufficient,” he argued.
Training is also a necessity for motorcyclists he opined, as he pointed out from his own studies done in real time with victims who receive first respondent care at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital, only a quarter of riders had a licence and were insured.
“Those with a licence and insurance had a 57 per cent helmet compliance rate, which was almost double the overall helmet compliance rate of 29 per cent. This suggests that our helmet wearing rates may improve if we get persons to acquire a licence and insurance,” he reasoned.
In 47 per cent of cases, the injuries he saw were due to collisions and 38 per cent of those were because of the young men losing control of the bikes they were riding due to speeding or errant overtaking.
“Had they been formally trained when you look at the [state] of the injury, most of them would not have crashed,” he concluded.
JN Makes Stirring Call for Regional Effort to Tackle Motorcycle Deaths and Injuries
In a passionate address to stir up urgency, Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, kicked off the Heads-Up Regional Think Tank at the AC Hotel in Kingston with a call for countries in the Caribbean and Latin America to shift the narrative on motorcycle safety to save lives.
Addressing policymakers, motorcyclists, and global road safety advocates, Ms Allen emphasised the urgent need for behavioural change to reduce preventable deaths.
“This is a journey of advocacy and action,” she declared. “The strategy is simple: safe helmets on heads. Every ride. Every time.”
The two-day forum, which culminated on June 20, was organised by the JN Foundation through the National Helmet Wearing Coalition. It comes amid rising concerns about motorcycle crashes across the Caribbean and Latin America. Motorcycle crashes account for close to a third of road fatalities in Jamaica alone, particularly the deaths of men in their prime, productive years a figure Miss Allen says has remained stubbornly unchanged.
“This is now an economic issue,” she stressed. “Our economies are already under strain, and these deaths are creating an invisible but heavy burden. We can’t afford to keep losing our most productive citizens on the roads.”
She highlighted the cultural reasons some riders still shun helmets, from vanity and discomfort to the myth that a short ride doesn’t require protection. She also pointed to systemic gaps, such as the need for certified helmet access, local testing facilities, and tighter enforcement.
But her message wasn’t just about the problems, it was a call to collective action.
“We have an immense task ahead, but it’s not insurmountable,” she said, pointing to successful efforts in other countries like Mexico.
“Over the next two days, we’re not just having a talk shop,” Miss Allen insisted. “We are identifying solutions- regulatory, cultural, economic- that will take us closer to zero.”
Photo Caption: Claudine Allen (right), general manager of the JN Foundation in discussion with (from left) with Gloria Murga, chief executive officer of Belize Automobile Touring Association; Frank Fotia, president of the FIA Region 3;Agnieszka Krasnolucka, programme director FIA Foundation; Dr Lucien Jones, chairman, National Helmet Wearing Coalition. Occasion was the ‘Heads Up! Regional Think Tank forum at the AC Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, June 19. The event was organised by the JN Foundation through the National Helmet Wearing Coalition in collaboration with National Road Safety Council with funding from the FIA Foundation, the two day forum aimed to address critical legislative and enforcement gaps, promote behaviour change, and mitigate the social and economic impact of motorcycle-related fatalities across the region and promote the use of certified helmets.
With representatives from transport, health, and national security ministries and sectors, as well as motorcyclists sharing their real stories, she said the forum is a critical step in changing the tide.
“We’re showing up. We’re asking you to participate. And when you leave here, take action. Advocate. Collaborate. Because that’s the only way we’re going to change the story that’s become too familiar,” she pointed out.
Supporting her remarks, Agnieszka Krasnolucka, programme director at the FIA Foundation, underlined the life-saving potential of helmet use. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the FIA, the world governed body for motor sports.
“We know that the safe use of quality helmets reduces the risk of death by over six times and brain injury by up to 74 per cent,” she said.
“That makes every certified helmet wearer a life protector. And yet, too many still ride unprotected not for lack of knowledge, but for lack of access and enforcement,” she added.
Ms Krasnolucka praised Jamaica’s efforts, saying, “This is the first event of its kind in the region, and it’s already proving that regional dialogue can drive real change. We are here to shape safer roads and more resilient communities.”
The urgency to tackle the motorcycle crashes and their consequences was further underscored by Donaree Muirhead, technical assistant in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Transport, representing Minister Darly Vaz, who outlined grim statistics regarding fatalities and injuries from motorcycle incidents so far this year.
“This is not just a national concern; it’s a regional crisis. The real issue is not motorcycles, it’s the persistent culture of non-compliance, limited access to certified helmets, and enforcement gaps,” she affirmed. We must build a safety culture from the ground up.”
The forum, hosted by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, a project of the JN Foundation in partnership with the National Road Safety Council, with funding from the FIA Foundation, aims to tackle the challenge of motorcycle safety, particularly helmet wearing, head on, from helmet testing and enforcement to regional collaboration and youth education.
The event has brought together regional and international experts, policymakers, and advocates to tackle the alarming rise in motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities across the Caribbean and Latin America.
A high-level regional forum bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the urgent issue of motorcycle helmet safety will be held at the AC Hotel in Kingston on June 19 and 20.
The event will feature five panel discussions and three keynote addresses, providing a platform for dynamic dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy-orientated solutions.
Organised by the JN Foundation through the National Helmet Wearing Coalition in collaboration with the FIA Foundation and FIA motor clubs in the Caribbean and the National Road Safety Council, the forum aims to address critical legislative and enforcement gaps, promote behaviour change, and mitigate the social and economic impact of motorcycle-related fatalities across the region.
Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said the event is a critical step towards regional collaboration to develop, strengthen and enact policies which save lives.
‘In Jamaica, motorcyclists accounted for about 30% of road fatalities in 2024. The statistics are common to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, where there is similar experience in managing issues related to helmet wearing, certification and standardisation. We believe that dialogue will be helpful to arriving at a position of collaboration to address these issues,” she asserted.
With speakers from countries in the region, the event will explore legislative and regulatory gaps on how weak or absent laws contribute to a culture that undervalues helmet wearing; challenges in enforcement and policing; and nurturing behaviour change through advocacy and storytelling.
Other topics include social and economic impact, highlighting the costs of preventable motorcycle crashes to families, health systems, and national development.
Ms Allen added that the forum will bring together regional and international experts in road safety and enforcement, psychology and behaviour change, policy development, academia and public health and international organisations, including the FIA Foundation.
Some of the presenters include Shivanie Mahadeo of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards; Dr Terry Smith, principal scientist at Galateus; Dave Cliff, chief executive officer of Global Road Safety Partnership in Mexico; Sam Clarke, head of programmes at TRANSAID; and Frank Fotia, president of FIA Region 111, based in Canada.
Meanwhile, local presenters who will address the conference are Dr Gary McKenzie, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jamaica Constabulary Force; Dr Wendell Richards, head of the Standards Compliance Department at the National Bureau of Standards; and Col Daniel Pryce, director general, Island Traffic Authority.
Among the moderators for the two-day event are Dr Lucien Jones, chairman of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition and vice chair of the National Road Safety Council; Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee, vice president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and Paula Fletcher, executive director of the National Road Safety Council.
Ms Allen said the objectives and outcomes of the sessions are to uncover best practices and promote evidence-based recommendations for regional implementation and encourage collaboration to increase helmet wearing.
Other objectives include developing a regional action plan aimed at improving helmet certification standards, testing helmet imports, and enhancing public awareness campaigns.
“Helmet wearing and standardisation is a troubling issue for many countries globally and creates significant economic burdens for small island developing sates, like Jamaica. Even as we take action to improve outcomes for motorcycle drivers here, if we are going to be effective, we will need to collaborate with our regional neighbours to have a stronger voice in this global discussion,” she concluded.
The outcomes will serve as a call to action for governments, institutions, and civil society. A final report and refined recommendations will be submitted to regional government representatives to stimulate further action.
As Jamaicans navigate negative behaviours on our roads daily, road rage has become a growing concern on the nation’s thoroughfares. Road rage can lead to serious repercussions, including crashes, injuries, and even fatalities. But what exactly fuels this aggressive behaviour and how can motorists avoid it?
According to Montel Hill, lead – Driving Academy at the JN Foundation, common triggers include heavy traffic, unexpected delays, running late, and feeling disrespected by other drivers, such as being cut off or tailgated. However, these triggers are often compounded by personal stressors such as anxiety, illness, or a bad day, which can make emotional outbursts behind the wheel more likely.
“Road rage is often emotional,” Mr Hill explained. “It’s different from aggressive driving, which can be shaped by context, like rushing to complete more trips to earn an income or reacting to the sounds of revving engines. Road rage, on the other hand, comes from an emotional response to stress, fear, or frustration.”
This view is supported by a 2022 study published in the Journal of Transport & Health, which found that stress and emotional dysregulation are key predictors of road rage. The study concluded that drivers who are more emotionally reactive are more likely to engage in hostile behaviours, especially when they perceive themselves to be disrespected or endangered by others.
The American Psychological Associationlinks road rage to acute stress reactions, especially in people who struggle to manage emotions effectively. Their research shows that drivers under stress are more likely to misinterpret others’ actions as hostile, increasing the chances of retaliatory behaviour.
So, how can drivers better manage their emotions and stay safe on the road? Mr Hill gives four tips to control road rage:
1. Recognise the Triggers
Awareness is the first step in prevention. “Know what sets you off,” advises the JN Foundation lead on the Driving Academy. “If you’re physically or emotionally unwell, it might be safer to delay your trip or ask someone else to drive, such as a trusted friend, family member, or paid taxi service,” he said.
2. Choose Calm Over Conflict
When faced with provocation on the road, it’s crucial to stay composed. “When they go low, the good motorist should go high,” Mr Hill said. “Avoid making eye contact or responding to aggressive gestures. Instead, give aggressive drivers space, maintain a three- to four-second following distance, and if tailgated, safely pull over and let them pass,” he added.
3. Focus on Your Destination, Not the Distraction
Redirect your attention away from the behaviour of others, he suggested. Simple tactics like deep breathing, listening to calming music, or repeating a calming phrase can help defuse tension, he suggested. “Remind yourself: ‘My goal is to arrive safely’.”
4. Build Emotional Intelligence Through Education
Mr Hill informed that emotional awareness is being incorporated into driver education at the JN Foundation Driving Academy. “We promote a holistic approach that combines practical skills with emotional readiness,” he said.
Through a partnership with the Jamaica Automobile Association, the JN Foundation is launching iDrive4Life, a programme designed to provide comprehensive driver training through a combination of practical, on-the-road exercises, advanced driving technology, utilizing a state-of-the-art driving simulator and road safety empowerment. Additionally, the programme incorporates emotional awareness, recognizing the critical role mindset and emotional control play in safe and responsible driving.
“With a sharp rise in crashes caused by human error, managing road rage is no longer just a personal challenge; it’s a public safety issue. Ultimately, every driver has a role to play,” the JN Foundation representative noted. “Staying calm is a choice and it could save your life.”
In a world where financial decisions are made daily, equipping children with financial literacy from a young age is a necessity, said Rose Miller, financial education consultant with the JN Foundation.
“Early education in money management lays the foundation for responsible financial behaviours” Mrs Miller pointed out.
She said it is important that children develop a healthy relationship with money, one that fosters responsibility, confidence, and purpose. “It’s not just about saving for a toy or a phone; it’s about nurturing a mindset that sees money as a tool to achieve personal and financial goals and do good,” she said.
“We want them to understand money, understand the value and the power it holds,” Mrs Miller explained. “It’s what you use to achieve your financial goals.”
The JN Foundation consultantinformed thatone of the key objectives is to dismantle the belief that wealth is reserved for a select few. Instead, children should be encouraged to see financial success as achievable and inclusive.
“It’s not a certain set of people who can be wealthy,” she said. “We want them to have a positive attitude towards money, one that has as its foundation good values and an understanding of philanthropy.”
By normalising conversations about money, Mrs Miller explained, that this will break the traditional silence and stigma surrounding financial discussions. “It’s not taboo,” she insisted. “It’s just about having an open, honest conversation, investing the time and resources to ensure that when it comes to handling and discussing money, they are comfortable and confident.”
She recommends the following three steps to teach children financial literacy:
Goal Setting with Purpose
Guided and support children in establishing their own financial goals, which will vary by age, from small savings goals for younger children to longer-term plans for teens. Through this, they learn the concept of goal duration or term, short, medium, or long, the associated timeframe for each and what is possible in each category.
“Teach them how to set SMART goals,” she asserted, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound goals, a powerful theory not only for financial planning but one that will serve them well throughout life,” she explained.
Earning and Budgeting
She informed that goal setting is one piece of the financial literacy puzzle, another equally important piece which is directly align is teaching children how to earn and manage money through age-appropriate means, whether through chores, allowances, fundraising initiatives or even entrepreneurial ventures.
“They learn the connection between working and earning as also the value of budgeting — even with small amounts they receive,” she stated. “As they master the art of budgeting, they will be well positioned to achieve their financial goals.”
Learning from the Journey
Beyond pursuing and reaching a goal, children are also encouraged to reflect on the journey and take full advantage of the many valuable lessons. If they fall short, they’re taught how to take corrective measures, adjust their plans and learn from the experience.
“Parents can help them to reflect and evaluate,” she explained. “So that the next goal they set, they’ll be in a better position to achieve.”
Financial literacy is not just about saving and investing, it encompasses a broad range of skills and knowledge essential to making informed financial decisions throughout one’s life. It’s also about building confidence, and a mindset that empowers children to take control of their future.
“Starting now, let’s all help our children have a better relationship with money, a tool which can be used to shape their lives but never define it” she said.
With reports consistently highlighting challenges regarding debt management, particularly credit card debt in Jamaica, to include poor usage and limited knowledge and understanding of how credit cards work, Rose Miller, financial education consultant with the JN Foundation, has issued a call for consumers to take these critical steps before getting a credit card.
Mrs Miller said although credit cards offer convenience, security and opportunities to build credit history, there are key factors to consider to help users make more informed decisions and manage credit effectively.
Establish the Reason for Acquiring the Card
She said before obtaining a credit card, individuals should first determine the intended purpose or purposes for acquiring the card. This approach, she explained, helps ensure that persons will select a card that aligns with their specific needs, emphasising that common reasons for getting a credit card include building credit history, managing cash flow, earning rewards or cashback, and accessing funds for emergencies.
Assess Your Eligibility
Mrs Miller said it is also important for consumers to carry out their own self-assessment to see whether they meet the specific criteria outlined by financial institutions for credit card applicants.
“While requirements may vary across financial institutions, meeting the basic criteria before applying significantly improves your chances of approval. For example, you will want to ensure you meet the minimum age requirement and have a stable income to demonstrate your ability to repay. Many institutions also assess your credit score, determined by your overall financial behaviour, so if you know you have significant debt and you are delinquent, that will likely impact your chances” she shared.
Understand Fees and Rates
The financial education consultant said each institution will likely have unique offerings and recommended looking for online reviews and details on fees and rates.
“Research and read all terms and conditions carefully to understand all associated costs,” she advised, pointing to some of the costs that consumers need to be aware of. These include interest rates, annual, foreign transaction and late payment fees, as well as cash advance fees.
Know the Credit Limit
She also encouraged individuals to familiarise themselves with their credit limit, the maximum amount they are allowed to charge using their credit card. She also advised keeping credit usage low to help maintain a healthy credit score.
“Consistently high credit usage may negatively impact your creditworthiness over time, since it can signal financial strain to lenders,” she explained.
Evaluate Rewards and Benefits
Mrs Miller advised consumers to carefully evaluate whether a credit card reward programme aligns with their spending habits. She said several credit cards are designed for local needs, with benefits such as discounts with partner merchants and cashback on everyday expenses.
She encouraged comparing cards to ensure the rewards offered are relevant and beneficial. However, she cautioned that “while rewards can be enticing, your spending should always remain within your budget. It’s not wise to overspend just to earn points or cashback.”
Learn How to Manage Your Card Responsibly
According to Mrs Miller, a credit card can be a valuable financial tool when managed wisely. She highlighted several tips for effective management, including paying off the outstanding balance in full and on time each month to avoid interest charges, setting up alerts through mobile banking or other apps to ensure payment deadlines are met, and regularly monitoring statements to catch unauthorised transactions or errors.
“By establishing the purpose for applying for the card, researching your options, and managing your card responsibly, you can enjoy the benefits without falling into debt,” she said. “A credit card is a good instrument to have, it can help save time, money and build credit. But how you use it is critical. It requires discipline and careful planning to ensure you enjoy the benefits and avoid the many pitfalls which can lead to it becoming a financial burden.”
